7 Tips for Springtime Tree Care

During winter, trees are dormant – they save their energy for a burst of growth when spring returns. Now that the weather is warming again, it’s the best possible time to give your trees a boost and help them grow as strong as possible. With a little bit of extra care now, you could save time and money later – all while setting your trees up to thrive.

Read on for 7 ways you can help your trees make the most of the spring season.

1. Clean Up Yard Debris

Keeping your yard tidy isn’t just about looks – it can also benefit your trees. This is because organic debris can trap moisture and create a perfect environment for fungus, mold, and harmful pests.

Yard Debris Removal Tips

• Remove fallen branches from around your tree’s trunks.
• Rake leaves to let the soil breathe.
• Prune dead or weak branches to prevent them from falling on windy days.

2. Inspect Trees for Damage

Here in Western Maryland, winters can be extremely difficult for trees. Between high winds, freezing temperatures, and snow and ice accumulation, trees have a lot to deal with. Even if you prepared for these things, your trees could have been damaged. A quick inspection could catch this damage early and prevent bigger problems

Common Winter Tree Damage:

• Broken or weakened branches. These should be cut away before they can fall and cause property damage or injuries.
• Frost cracks. Wood expands when it’s warm and contracts when it’s cold. When wood expands as the weather warms, it can cause cracks. These cracks can make your tree more susceptible to pest infestation and plant disease.
• Newly leaning trees. The freeze-thaw cycle can make the soil softer, which can make your trees’ roots unstable. This puts your tree at a higher risk of falling over. If you notice a tree leaning when it wasn’t before, get in touch with a tree care professional as soon as possible.

If you act quickly upon noticing these problems, you can prevent lasting damage to your trees – and other property, too.

3. Look for Signs of Pest Infestation

Pests are dormant during winter, just like trees. And also like trees, they return in full force during springtime. Some pests also overwinter in tree bark or the soil around the roots. Checking for signs of pest activity during the early spring could help you protect your trees from a full-scale infestation.

Signs of Pest Infestation in Trees:

• Holes in bark. These could indicate an infestation of wood-boring insects like beetles.
• “Sawdust” at the base of the tree. This is another sign of wood-boring insects.
• Chewed, curled, or discolored leaves. All of these are potential signs of pests or disease.
• Sticky residue on the tree’s trunk. It’s normal for trees to leak sap from time to time, but this could also be honeydew – a sticky substance produced by aphids, scale insects, and other insects that feed on tree sap.

If you suspect a pest presence on your trees, call a tree professional right away. Even if you don’t have an infestation in progress, a few preventative measures could save you time, money, and trouble later on.

4. Replenish the Soil With Mulch and Fertilizer

Trees use nutrients from the soil to grow, and over time, these nutrients will be depleted. Since trees are just beginning to grow again during spring, adding nutrients back into the soil with mulch and fertilizer can be a big help. However, they should be used carefully; too much fertilizer, or using the wrong type, can do more harm than good.

How to Improve Soil Health:

• Aerate the soil. This will make it easier for water and nutrients to reach the tree’s roots. It also reduces soil compaction, making it easier for new roots to grow.
• Add mulch around the base of the tree. This will help insulate the tree’s roots and retain moisture.
• Test soil nutrient levels. This requires help from a professional but will give you valuable insight into your tree’s nutritional needs.

5. Trim Your Trees

Pruning your trees is important for balance and safety. Keeping your trees balanced makes it less likely for them to tip over and cause damage or injury. Pruning away damaged branches is also important for safety so they don’t fall unexpectedly.

Tree Pruning Includes:

• Removing dead or weakened branches.
• Thinning a tree’s crown to prevent crowding and increase sunlight exposure.
• Shaping newly-planted trees to ensure balanced growth later on.

Tree trimming isn’t just for looks – it’s also about making sure your trees grow correctly and won’t cause unexpected damage. A tree care professional knows just how to trim your trees to get these benefits.

6. Establish a Watering Schedule

It’s important to make sure your trees get enough water, even during rainy weather. A watering schedule is a great way to ensure that your trees get the water they need.

Tree Watering Tips:

• If you planted new trees this season, make sure they get more water to help them establish new roots and mitigate stress.
• Keep an eye on the soil’s moisture levels, being careful not to over- or under-water your trees.
• Give mature trees a deep soak during dry weather.

Consistent watering will make your trees more resilient to stress and disease, improving their overall health.

7. Schedule a Professional Tree Assessment

While you might be able to handle certain tree care tasks on your own, having a professional on your side can help ensure your trees get exactly what they need, right when they need it. Plenty of signs of pests, plant disease, and structural weakness might sneak past the untrained eye, but a pro will catch them easily.

Benefits of a Professional Tree Inspection

• Expert insight into your trees’ overall health.
• Professional pruning for tree health and safety.
• Preventative pest and disease treatments.
• Customized tree maintenance plans.

With the help of a professional, you can catch certain problems early. This can save you time and money in the long run while keeping your trees healthy, safe, and beautiful.

Count on Baker Tree Services for Expert Tree Care in Western Maryland

Your trees deserve the best care in the business, and that’s exactly what the Baker Tree Services team brings to the table. With our lengthy list of tree services and 20 years of experience, you can count on our professional arborists to help your trees thrive this spring.No matter what your trees need, we’re here to help. Give us a call to get started with a free estimate.